Chapter 1:

Buffy pulled up to Sunnydale High School in her black convertible Audi TT and got out of her car, sliding off her sunglasses and grabbing her tote bag. Her best friend Willow Rosenberg got out on the passenger side and looked at Buffy.





“Not going to put the top up?” she asked curiously, grabbing her backpack.





“There’s not a cloud in the sky,” Buffy replied, starting to walk towards the front doors of the school. “So I don’t anticipate it raining. Plus, everyone knows it’s my car, so it’s doubtful anyone will touch it. Everyone should know by now that they will incur the wrath of my father, the lawyer.”





“What about Spike?” the redhead asked as they walked inside.





“I’ve lived next door to Spike for the last fifteen years, and after having that car for two of those years, he’s never laid a finger on it, even though I’m sure he’d love to mess with it,” Buffy said, heading towards their lockers. “Why would he pick today of all days to do something to it?”





“Be careful, Buffy,” Xander Harris said, catching up to his friends. “You don’t want to jinx yourself.”





“Knowing my luck, I probably did,” Buffy replied, shrugging. “I’m not worried.”





“You could easily wreck his car, too,” Xander pointed out. “You’re neighbors- it’d be perfect to have your fun with it, and the awesome part is that you’d probably get away with it.”





“He’d suspect it was me,” Buffy said, opening her locker. “And you know what? I think it’d be worth it to be caught for ruining his car. That bastard deserves it.”





“I can’t believe that Spike the social deviant used to be William the nerd,” Xander said, leaning against the locker in between Buffy’s and Willow’s. “You two used to be best friends, Buff. What happened?”





“We grew up,” she answered, shrugging. “He changed, I hated the new look, and here we are today.”





“You two are the most popular people in school,” Willow said, smiling. “Usually that’s reserved for a power-couple or something, not two completely different people.”





“Not for enemies,” Buffy agreed, looking at her friends as the bell for first period rang. “Don’t want to be late. Let’s go.”





* * *





Spike pulled up to school in his black convertible Mustang at eight o’clock sharp, not caring that he was going to be late. His friends Charles Gunn and Lindsey McDonald climbed out of the cars parked beside him while his cousin Wesley Wyndham-Price got out of his car on the passenger side.





“Ready to start the day off, boys?” Lindsey asked, looking at the three guys.





“Sure,” Spike smiled, lighting a cigarette. “What did you have in mind?”





“Buffy Summers’ car,” Gunn answered, looking at the convertible on the other side of the parking lot. “Seems our favorite dumb blonde left the top down, giving us an all-access pass to have ourselves some fun.”





“What’re we going to do to it?” Wes asked, looking at his cousin.





“We already hit the grocery store,” Lindsey said, extracting a plastic bag from his car. “Gunn and I bought eggs and shaving cream. That should be sufficient, right?”





“Bloody brilliant plan,” Spike said, taking a carton of eggs out of the bag. “These are going to bake into her leather seats. She’s going to have a fit.” He grinned. “We better be outside to see it.”





“That means you can’t skip 7th hour,” Gunn replied, chuckling.





“Sure I can,” Spike said. “I could just come back to see her reaction.” He sighed. “But sitting through Miss Calendar’s lecture on computer viruses will be a hell of a lot better knowing that I get to see Princess Buffy freak out as my reward for going to class.” The three guys all shared a laugh before walking towards Buffy’s car. Spike opened the carton and grabbed an egg. “This is definitely going to be worth it.” He threw the egg fast-pitched at her windshield and grinned as it shattered. “The stage has been set, mates. Let’s kick off today right.”





* * *





“So, are you guys excited for Homecoming?” Cordelia asked as she sat down at the lunch table. Buffy looked at her with a raised eyebrow.





“Homecoming isn’t for another month,” she answered. “I’m not thinking about it for at least another two weeks.”





“But submitting nominees for Homecoming King and Queen starts as of Monday next week,” Cordelia replied, opening her water bottle. “And as seniors, this is our last year to claim the crown. Who’s with me?”





“No thanks,” Xander replied, stealing a fry off of Willow’s tray. “That’s for the losers who need proof that they’re popular.” He grinned and stretched out in his seat. “I don’t need proof, thanks.”





“And I do?” Cordelia asked, crossing her arms. “I’m more popular than you, Harris.”





“So we can expect to see you on the ballot?” Buffy asked, looking at Cordelia, who nodded. “Good luck. I hope you win.”





“Thank you,” Cordelia replied. “It’s nice to know who my true friends are.”





“You know I’m going to vote for you,” Xander replied. “We’ve got to stick together, now don’t we?”





“Friends ‘til the end,” Buffy agreed, and Willow smiled at her. “Now, who feels like shopping after school?”





“I thought your mom took away your credit card,” Cordelia said, and Buffy nodded. “Window-shopping then?”





“I’ve got cash,” Buffy replied, shrugging. “But I miss that card. I had unlimited spending, you know.”





“I adore mine,” Cordelia said, grinning. “Never leave home without it.”





“You two could be in a commercial for Visa or Mastercard,” Xander replied, taking another fry from Willow. “Two rich girls who spend their parents’ money daily on frivolous stuff.”





“You’re just jealous because we’re spoiled rotten,” Cordelia replied, laughing. Buffy smirked and looked at Willow.





“Feel like shopping?” she asked. “It’s a perfect day to go out for a drive and spend some money.”





“Sure,” Willow said. “I’ll meet you outside after school, okay?” Buffy nodded and grabbed her books as the lunch bell rang.





“See you later,” she said, heading towards her fifth-hour class.





* * *





After school, Lindsey, Wes, Gunn, and Spike were all waiting outside in a prime spot to witness Buffy’s reaction to the decorations they had left on her car.





“Did you see how the eggs look?” Lindsey asked. “They seriously are baked onto her car. That’ll be a bitch of a clean-up.”





“Too bad we don’t have a camera,” Spike said, lighting a cigarette. “I’d wager this will be a bloody Kodak moment.” He chuckled as Wes pulled a digital camera out of his backpack. “You’re brilliant, Wes.”





“I plan ahead,” he replied, handing the camera to his cousin. “Be ready. She’s on her way outside as we speak, and I believe Rosenberg is right behind her.” The four guys watched as the two girls walked to Buffy’s black convertible, patiently waiting to see Buffy’s face as she saw what they had done to her precious car.





When she stopped beside her car and surveyed the eggs and remnants of dried shaving cream covering both the inside and outside of her car, she crossed her arms and nodded.





“I really did jinx myself,” she said to herself. “You were right, Will. Both you and Xander were right.”





“Don’t flip out,” Willow said quietly. “I have a feeling that Spike and his goons are watching us and waiting for you to panic.” Buffy looked at her friend and smiled softly.





“I’m not going to panic,” she replied. “We’re going to get in my car, acting as if nothing happened, and we’re going to take it to a car wash. Then, we’ll go shopping, buy some supplies, and return to my house to do a little damage of our own. What do you say?”





“I’d say that I love the way you think,” Willow answered, grinning. The two girls exchanged high-fives before getting in her car, a move that all four guys noticed.





“What was that all about?” Gunn asked, confused. “Why didn’t Buffy explode? It’s almost as if nothing is wrong.”





“She must’ve known we’re watching,” Lindsey said. “And judging from that little high-five we saw, the games are only just beginning.” Wes, Gunn, and Lindsey looked at Spike. “And I have a feeling you’re on her hit-list first, buddy.”


 

Chapter 2:

That night, Willow and Buffy sat in her kitchen, waiting for Spike to come home and to go to sleep. When he pulled up at eleven, they watched him go inside his house and up to his room before they began to finalize their plans.



“So you’re going to disconnect the battery?” Buffy asked, looking at her friend.



“Yep,” Willow answered. “That way, when he tries to start the car in the morning, it won’t have any power to do it.” Buffy smiled.



“And since he doesn’t know anything about cars, he won’t be able to fix it himself,” she replied. “That’s a fabulous idea. Knowing him, he’ll get it towed.”



“And what are you going to do while I’m under the hood?” Willow asked, noticing that Spike was pacing around his room as she looked out the window.



“I’m going to strategically place the books,” Buffy said, putting them on the counter. Willow looked at the stack and read off the titles, grinning.



“‘Sexually Transmitted Diseases’, ‘Sexually Transmitted Diseases In Homosexual Men: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Research’, and ‘The Gay Teen: Educational Practice and Theory for Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adolescents’.” Willow raised an eyebrow. “Why did you pick these?”



“Because I once saw a book in Mr. Giles’ bookshelf that was titled ‘A Parent’s Guide to Preventing Homosexuality’,” Buffy answered, shrugging. “Besides, I’ve heard him talk to my mom a couple of times about Spike, and I remember him expressing his concerns about Spike possibly being gay. This way, if he sees these books, he’s not only going to question it more, but he’ll freak out over the whole STD thing.” Willow giggled and high-fived Buffy.



“You are a genius when it comes to revenge,” she said, smirking when she looked outside and saw that Spike’s light was off. “I think we’re good to go. All set?” Buffy nodded and grabbed the books. “We should wait a few minutes, though, just to ensure he’s asleep.”



“You know, it’d be mightily funny if Wes or one of the guys saw the books,” Buffy said, looking at them. “I bet that would raise a pretty big coo amongst his group.”



“How are we getting into his car?” Willow asked, realizing that she couldn’t just pop open the hood of his car without unlocking the doors.



“The moron leaves it unlocked,” Buffy replied. “Since Giles parks behind him when he returns from the bookstore after midnight and leaves before Spike goes to school, he’s never been worried about someone trying to steal his car.” She smiled and sighed. “You’d think he’d be worried about someone sabotaging it, though.”



“You weren’t,” Willow said, looking at her friend.



“True,” Buffy agreed. “I’ve learned my lesson now, and it’s time to return the favor.”



* * *



The next morning, Spike arrived at school around nine o’clock, thoroughly pissed off that his car had to be towed. Wes had picked him up and taken him to school, even though Spike had no intention of actually going to his classes.



“That bint had to have done this,” he said as his friends walked to the cafeteria for lunch a couple of hours later. “I don’t understand how it could run just fine last night and was dead in the water this morning. It doesn’t make sense.”



“And what would Buffy have done to it?” Lindsey asked, sitting down at their table. “She’s not exactly smart, Spike, and I doubt she has a clue about cars. You can’t just look at an engine and know how it operates.”



“Yeah, but you can start pulling wires or removing plugs,” Spike replied. “It had to have been her.”



“Why don’t you ask her?” Gunn asked, watching as Buffy and Willow walked into the room, going to their table.



“Or how about I just mess with her car some more?” Spike suggested, looking at his watch. “I’ve got twenty minutes…anyone have a knife?”



“What’re you going to do?” Wes asked, looking at his cousin. “Tear the upholstery?”



“Slash her tires,” Spike answered, looking at his friends. “I know you guys carry pocket-knives, at least.”



“I’m not contributing more to your delinquency, man,” Gunn replied. “Doing some innocent modifying to her car was fine yesterday, but hacking someone’s tires is a serious offense.”



“Fine,” Spike replied dejectedly, sighing. “I guess I’ll find out what happened later on.”



“If it really was her, what’s her payback going to be?” Lindsey asked casually, looking at the blonde across the room.



“I’m sure I’ll think of something,” Spike said, looking at Buffy as she began to laugh at something Xander said.



* * *



“Son, can I speak with you for a moment?” Rupert Giles asked as he walked into the house after picking up Spike’s car from the mechanic. Spike nodded, grabbing a soda from the refrigerator. “Maybe we should have a seat.”



“Is it something serious?” Spike asked, becoming concerned. “What’s wrong?” Giles motioned for his son to sit down at the kitchen table before he sat across from him and set a pile of books down. Spike looked at them with a raised eyebrow. “What are these?”



“I was hoping you could tell me,” Giles replied, cleaning his glasses with a handkerchief. Spike looked at the titles and couldn’t help but chuckle.



“Is there something you want to tell me?” Spike asked jokingly.



“They were in the backseat of your car,” Giles said, putting his glasses back on and giving Spike a stern look.



“They’re not mine,” he replied, crossing his arms.



“Then why were they in your car?” Giles asked sharply.



“I don’t know,” Spike answered, standing up. “But they’re not mine. I’m not gay, I don’t have any sexually transmitted diseases, and even if I did, I sure as hell wouldn’t buy books on the subject. That’s what the Internet is for.” Giles looked at his son and then at the books.



‘Oh dear lord, he’s plotted out how to research the subject,’ he thought, trying not to panic more. ‘Let the boy explain, Rupert. If he says they’re aren’t his, then maybe he’s lying. Maybe.’



“These really aren’t yours?” he asked, and Spike shook his head. “Then why were they there? Do you think maybe they’re Wesley’s?”



“I’m fairly certain my cousin wouldn’t put books in the backseat,” Spike said. “And if he ever decided to actually bring books to class, I doubt they’d be of this variety.” He tensed up as he realized who had undoubtedly put them there.



‘That insufferable bitch,’ he thought as he grabbed the books.



“You know what, Dad?” Spike said, trying not to smile. “I probably shouldn’t say this because I promised her I wouldn’t, but I know who these belong to.”



“Whose are they, then?” Giles asked.



“Buffy’s,” Spike answered, fighting the urge to laugh. “She probably left them there when I drove her home the other day.”



“Buffy is a…she’s…” Giles trailed off, unable to finish his sentence.



“Yes, she’s a lesbian,” Spike said, heading for the door. “But please don’t tell Joyce- the news would kill her.”



“Yes…quite right,” Giles replied, slightly stammering. “You might want to return them to her, then.”



“Oh, she’ll definitely get what’s coming to her,” Spike said to himself as he left his house and knocked on her door.



* * *



When Buffy opened the door, she couldn’t help but smile at Spike’s pissed off expression.



“I could kill you,” he said, walking past her into the house and putting the books on her kitchen counter. “Is it your mission to aggravate me daily?”



“You deserve it,” she replied, crossing her arms. “So, were you the one to find the books?”



“No, my father did,” he answered, and Buffy burst out laughing. “It’s not sodding funny! He thought I was gay and diseased!”



“Come on, Spike,” Buffy began, looking at him. “How can you not be gay? You dress like an 80’s British punk rocker and faithfully bleach your hair every other week, and honestly, when was the last time you had a date? And not only that, but Rupert has been worried about you being gay for years now.” Spike raised an eyebrow.



“What the hell are you talking about?” he asked. “I’m not gay! I like girls… well, all except for you.”



“Then why don’t you date anyone?” she asked. “You hang out with your gang of guys all of the time, so sorry if it seems like maybe you’re having some late-night romps with one of them.” He clenched his jaw and fists.



“Yeah? And what about you, Miss Prim and Proper? When was the last time you had a date?” he asked.



“I date quite often, thank you,” she replied, frowning. “I just haven’t been in a relationship in a long time.” She scoffed. “You just dislike me because I’m more popular than you.”



“That’s bollocks, and you know it, luv,” he said, sitting on one of her counters. “I’m a lot more popular than you.”



“No, you’re sadly mistaken,” she replied. “More people know and respect me than you.”



“Want to make a bet on that one, princess?” he asked, smirking. She raised an eyebrow. “I bet that I could be crowned Homecoming King this year over you being crowned Homecoming Queen.”



“And how does that prove who is more popular?” she asked, confused.



“Because it’s the obvious sign of who people like more- me or you,” he answered. “Are you in?”



“Fine,” she said, shaking the hand he extended to her. “You’re on.”

 

Chapter 3:

The following Monday afternoon during lunch, Buffy explained the bet between her and Spike to Cordelia, the one person who could potentially keep Buffy from being crowned Homecoming Queen.



“So you’re basically asking me not to run this year, aren’t you?” Cordy asked, crossing her arms.



“You’ve been crowned the last two years- do you really need a third plastic tiara to put on a shelf?” Buffy asked.



“Do you really need the ‘plastic tiara’?” Cordy countered, and Buffy sighed.



“Please do this for me, Cordy,” Buffy replied. “I’d really like to prove Spike wrong, and wouldn’t you feel a lot better knowing that you took him down a notch, too?”



“What happens if you both win?” Cordelia asked. “Is it a draw?”



“There’s no possible way he’s going to win,” Buffy replied, laughing. “He’s a jerk- no one will vote for him.”



“Well, you’ve got the three lunkheads that follow him around everyday,” Cordy said. “And all of the girls that he’s ever dated, or slept with, or-”



“Will you help me or not?” Buffy cut in, not wanting her friend to keep droning on.



“And what will I get out of it if I do?” Cordelia asked, opening her water bottle.



“The satisfaction of knowing that your friend is cooler than Spike Giles,” Buffy said.



“I already know you’re cooler than him,” she replied, sighing. “But fine, I won’t run this year.” Buffy grinned and hugged her. “But we need to start campaigning to make sure you win.”



“‘Campaigning’?” Buffy asked, raising an eyebrow. “This isn’t a presidential election.”



“No, it’s a popularity election,” Cordelia replied. “And I’m making damn sure you win, because if you don’t, then there was no point in me being nice and letting you run instead.”



“Alright, so how do we start this, then?” Buffy asked. “Posters, giving out free stuff, talking to people to spread the word?”



“That’d be a good start,” Cordy said. “Come over after school and we’ll come up with some plans, okay?” Buffy nodded, grateful that Cordelia would be on her side. “So, what are the terms of the bet? What do you get if you win?”



“I…I don’t know,” Buffy answered, frowning. “We didn’t actually discuss that yet.”



“Well, I’d find out,” Cordelia said. “Because if all you’re getting out of this is that crown, I’m going to be upset.”



* * *



“You know, Spike, I think this is a bunch of crap,” Lindsey said, looking at his friend during lunch. “How the hell do you expect to beat Buffy? She’s got a good portion of the school on her side. What makes you think people are going to vote for you?”



“Or maybe they’ll vote for both of you,” Wes suggested. “Wherein which, you’ll have to dance with her.” Spike made a face and waved it off.



“I highly doubt people will vote for the both of us,” he replied. “We’re two very different people.”



“Yeah, but most of us still remember how good of friends you used to be,” Gunn said. “How close you two once were.” Spike looked at him. “You made a damn cute couple in junior high- what’s saying you wouldn’t now, too?”



“Don’t even go there, Charlie-boy,” Spike replied. “We’re both not going to win.”



“But what happens if you do?” Lindsey asked, and Spike shrugged. “Then this was all a waste. I’m not devoting my time to helping you out if it’s just going to be a waste of time.”



“It won’t ‘be a waste of time’,” Spike said, crossing his arms. “Besides, don’t you think seeing Buffy’s shocked expression when I win will be worth it?”



“Yeah, but how do you propose winning the title of Homecoming King?” Wes asked. “Do you have any plans?”



“A smear campaign would probably do the trick,” Lindsey said, looking at Spike. “And charming the school’s less popular girls would get you fairly far, too.”



“You can use info from when you guys were younger against her,” Gunn said. “Anything embarrassing or ridiculous that would make people think twice about her.”



“So you guys are going to help?” Spike asked, looking at his three friends.



“Damn straight, we’re going to help,” Lindsey said. “It’s time to take Buffy down a peg or two.”



* * *



After school, Buffy and several of her friends went to Cordelia’s house to discuss plans to help Buffy win.



“Okay, but I’m still not hearing enough ideas,” Anya said, looking at the girls sitting in Cordelia’s living room. “Let’s think outside the box.”



“We’ve all known him for years, but you know him the best, Buffy,” Willow said. “Do you have anything you can use against him?”



“Are you saying I should play the game that dirty?” Buffy asked, looking around, noticing that everyone nodded. “Alright, I’m sure I can come up with some stuff.”



“You know he’s going to try appealing to the underclassmen,” Cordelia said. “Especially girls.”



“We all know how charming he can be, and young girls definitely will fall for whatever he says,” Anya said. “You should try working your magic on the guys.”



“The football team is already voting for you,” Cordelia said. “Riley is spreading the word.”



“If we can get their girlfriends in on it, too, that would be a pretty good amount of votes,” Buffy replied.



“I talked to Jonathon Levinson, and he said he’d come up with some really cool posters for you,” Willow said. “Andrew and Warren seem amp-ed to help you out.”



“Probably because Spike and his friends have picked on all three of them for the last three years,” Anya replied.



“Who else should we target?” Cordelia asked, looking around.



“The marching band,” Willow suggested. “There’s a heck of a lot of people in it.”



“And the cheerleaders,” Anya added. “There are tons of them, and you know that none of them like Spike a whole lot.”



“But shouldn’t we try going for the people who might vote for him?” Buffy asked. “Not just the people who will probably vote for me?”



“And anyone that would fit in the ‘swing-vote’ category,” Willow replied. Buffy ran her hands through her hair.



“This is a lot more work than I thought it’d be,” she said quietly.
 

Chapter 4:

The next day at school, Buffy and her friends sat at a picnic table outside during lunch, planning out more details of the campaign.



“Did anyone else see Spike talking to the freshmen girls today?” Anya asked, frowning. “It made me sick.”



“He’s so charming, that’s why,” Cordelia replied. “The guy grins at you and you feel like bowing down before him.” All of the girls looked at her with raised eyebrows. “Not me, but I’ve seen it happen.”



“As long as he’s not promising to sleep with any of them or something,” Buffy said, writing down notes in a notebook. “‘Vote for me and I’ll shag you’- sounds like a promising campaign pitch.” Everyone laughed.



“Yeah, but wouldn’t you vote for him if he said that to you?” Anya asked curiously, looking at her friend.



“Knowing what I know, no, there’s no way I’d sleep with him,” Buffy said.



“I thought you two did…” Anya said, trailing off as Buffy glared at her. “Nevermind, no idea what I’m saying.”



“I was young, naïve, and incredibly stupid to fall for his tricks,” Buffy replied. “But that was years ago and a very different time.”



“You loved him,” Cordelia said, smiling softly, and Buffy sighed.



“I did,” she agreed. “But like I said, that was years ago. Everything has changed.”



“You two were the picture of perfection,” Willow said. “Everyone else thought so, too.”



“I think everyone was shocked freshman year when you broke up,” Anya said, looking down. “I know I was.”



“Can we not talk about this now?” Buffy asked. “I dated William, not Spike. They’re two completely different entities.”



“You’ve got that right,” a voice said behind her. She tensed up as she turned to see Spike and Lindsey standing there, looking at her. “Hello, Goldilocks.”



“Spike,” she said, nodding to acknowledge him.



“Can we talk?” he asked, and she looked at her friends before taking a deep breath and standing up.



“Yeah,” she answered, following him to a secluded spot a few feet over as Lindsey sat down with the girls. “What’s up? Calling it quits already?”



“We need to discuss the terms of the bet,” he replied. “What do you want if you win?”



“Such a good question,” she answered, crossing her arms. “Well, I suppose there’s a lot I want if I win.” He raised an eyebrow. “If I win, you have to be my slave for a month.”



“Excuse me?” he asked, choking on saliva. She smirked.



“You have to drive me around, do my homework, make me food, et cetera,” she answered. “And after the month is through, you never mess with me again. No more pranks, jokes, destruction of my car-”



“Fine,” he cut in. “I don’t expect you to win, but that’s acceptable.”



“What do you want?” she asked curiously. He sighed.



“You know, I had a fairly good idea before, but the idea of having you be my slave sounds pretty damn good all of a sudden,” he said, smiling. “But if I win, you’re going to do a lot more than just carting me around and cleaning up after me.” She froze as he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.



“I am not sleeping with you, Spike,” she replied. “Once was-”



“Twice,” he corrected.



“But not again,” she said, turning on her heel and walking back to her friends. Lindsey walked back over to Spike and looked at him.



“Did you figure it out?” he asked, and Spike smirked.



“Yeah, I’d say it’s all figured out,” he replied.



* * *



As Buffy left after school that day, she saw Spike talking to a bunch of gothic girls, undoubtedly trying to convince them to vote for him. She watched him, noticing the way he grinned at them.



‘Cordelia wasn’t kidding about the power of his smile,’ she thought. ‘I remember how much I loved it when he smiled at me. It was like the world stopped and there was nothing around us.’ She sighed. ‘Things used to be good back then.’



Spike felt as if someone was watching him, so he began to look around, spotting Buffy by her car, studying him. He raised an eyebrow as she quickly looked away and got in her car.



‘I wonder what that’s all about,’ he thought.



“Thanks for your time, ladies,” he said, looking at the girls surrounding him.



“The pleasure was ours,” a girl named Drusilla said, smiling at him. He winked at her and walked away, heading towards the parking lot. He chuckled as he walked past Buffy’s car, noticing that her head was resting against her steering wheel.



“What’s wrong, luv? Starting to think you’re going to lose?” he asked, causing her to jolt and look at him.



“What?” she asked, shaking her head in an attempt to stop having flashbacks of them from when they were younger.



‘Those thoughts won’t lead to anything good,’ she admonished herself.



“I’m just tired,” she said, putting her key in the ignition. Spike frowned, leaning against her car door.



“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked, trying not to sound concerned.



“I’m fine,” she said, rolling up her window. He frowned and took a step back as she sped off.



‘She’s not fine,’ he thought, heading towards his car. ‘But we’re not best friends anymore, so too bad for me.’



* * *



When Buffy got home from school, she was surprised to see her mother home early from work.



“Hi, Mom,” she said, walking into the kitchen. “What’s up?”



“I thought I’d offer to take you dress shopping for Homecoming,” Joyce said. “Since I hear that you’re running for Homecoming queen.”



“Who told you?” she asked, surprised.



“Rupert told me that both you and Spike were running for Homecoming King and Queen, but separately, of course,” Joyce answered. “When were you going to tell me?”



“When I was sure I’d be on the ballot,” Buffy said, shrugging. “But yes, I’m running against Spike.”



“It just seems so odd to me,” Joyce said, looking through the mail she was holding. “I used to think you two would get married some day.” Buffy made a face. “But apparently not.”



“Dating Spike was a mistake,” Buffy said, leaning back against the kitchen counter.



“He wasn’t Spike back then,” Joyce said, looking at her daughter. “He was William.” Buffy looked down and nodded. “And you loved him.”



“Did you talk to Cordelia or Willow or something?” Buffy asked, raising an eyebrow. “The girls and I had the same conversation this afternoon.”



“Then I guess that shows you how much we all wanted to see you and him be happy together,” Joyce replied. “Things were good between you two.”



“And then they weren’t,” Buffy said, heading out the back door.



‘But that doesn’t mean they can’t get better again,’ Joyce thought as she followed Buffy.

Chapter 5:

Spike saw Joyce and Buffy come home later that night, Buffy holding a dress bag. He raised an eyebrow as he watched her walk inside the house and up to her room.

‘Do I get a sneak peek of it?’ he thought curiously, thankful that their rooms were directly across from one another. ‘Maybe I can figure out a way to ruin it before Homecoming.’ He grinned. ‘She’d never forgive me for that.’ He lit a cigarette as he cracked the window open a little. ‘But then again, there are a lot of things she’ll never forgive me for, so why not add another one to the list?’

“Those things will kill you,” Buffy said as she walked past her window, smelling cigarette smoke. Spike smiled and fully opened his window, sitting on the ledge of it.

“I’m surprised you’re not supporting it, then,” Spike replied. She smiled and sat on the edge of her window, facing him. “So, I saw that you went dress-shopping.” She nodded, curious as to how long he had been watching her. “What does it look like?”

“Why would I tell you?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. He shrugged.

“I don’t see why not,” he replied. “It’s not like it’s your bloody wedding dress.”

“It’s dark green,” she said, looking at the dress that was now hanging in her closet. “Pretty simple, too. Doesn’t have anything on it- it’s just satin.”

“Sounds lovely,” he replied, and she looked at him, surprised. “I’m sure you’ll look good in it.”

“Are you okay?” she asked, quirking an eyebrow. “Because you almost sound nice tonight.”

“What? I can’t be nice to you sometimes?” he asked, smiling. She tilted her head.

“Seriously, do you have a fever or something? Or maybe you’re high,” she said, looking at him. “Have you been dabbling with illegal substances tonight, Spike?”

“Ha bloody ha,” he replied, exhaling a swirl of smoke. “Does it matter if I did?”

“No, I guess not,” she said. “If you want to screw your life up more, go right ahead.”

“Thanks ever so,” he said, flicking his cigarette outside. “Doesn’t this remind you of junior high school?”

“Don’t even start,” she said in a warning tone, glaring at him.

“Oh come on, luv,” he replied. “Can’t we talk civilly about our past?”

“Before you became a raging jerk who didn’t give a damn about me anymore? No, I don’t see how I can be civil about it,” she shot back, crossing her arms.

“You know that’s not how it was,” he said sternly, looking at her. “I cared about you until the last minute of our relationship.”

‘And still bloody do,’ he thought sadly.

“You were the one who ended it, Spike,” she said.

“No, I believe it was more than mutual,” he replied. “If not more on your end than mine.”

“Well what was I supposed to do?” she said loudly. “We slept together, you became distant, you changed your look and a lot of your attitude, we slept together again, and you told me as I was getting dressed that night that I didn’t fit your new persona anymore, so it was best if we called it quits.” He clenched his jaw. “Or have you forgotten all of that already?”

“I was a stupid kid,” he replied, looking down. “I’m sorry it ended like that.”

“And I’m sorry I ever let it get that far,” she said sharply. He looked at her, hoping that she couldn’t see the hurt in his eyes. “We were young, Spike- there’s not too much else to say.”

“Did you really love me back then?” he asked, and she looked down.

“You know I did,” she replied, and he nodded. “But it wasn’t enough, was it?”

“It…it was more than enough,” he said, looking down at his car. “Maybe subconsciously I just wasn’t ready for everything with us, you know? Like maybe it was too much too soon. I wasn’t prepared at 14 to just spend my life with one woman, Buffy, even if it was you. I wanted to try new things and experience everything I could.”

“In the process, devastating me,” she pointed out, looking at him, feeling tears forming in her eyes. He looked at her. “If that’s really how you felt, you could’ve talked to me about it.”

“I didn’t want to hurt you,” he replied, and she scoffed.

“Yeah, because you didn’t hurt me at all otherwise,” she said sarcastically, getting off the ledge of her window and standing up. “It was all daffodils and teddy bears.”

“Buffy-” he said, but she cut him off.

“You deserve all of the hell I’ve put you through over the last few years,” she said. “And sure, I deserve some of the stuff you’ve done to me, but I will never forgive you for hurting me the way you did. I loved you and trusted you more than anyone else, and it wasn’t enough for you.” She slammed her window shut and pulled down her shade, finally allowing a couple of tears to spill down her cheeks.

* * *

Spike lay in his bed that night, staring at the ceiling. She turned off her light sometime around midnight, but he couldn’t bring himself to sleep. His mind was racing, mostly with memories of his past with Buffy, from the most angsty to the sweet, loving ones.

‘I really fucked it up,’ he thought, running his hand through his hair. ‘I had something really good with her.’ He paused as he saw her light flick on at two in the morning. ‘Maybe it’s not just me that’s battling some inner turmoil right now.’

He quietly walked downstairs and grabbed a pair of scissors on his way outside, heading towards his father’s garden. He approached a white rose bush and chopped off the prettiest rose he could find before walking to Buffy’s car and sliding the rose through the driver-side door’s car-handle. He smiled to himself and went back inside.

The next morning, Buffy walked outside to her car and saw the rose. She gingerly grabbed it and sniffed it, smiling softly.

‘White is a sign of tranquility, peace,’ she thought. ‘And surrender.’

Chapter 6:

Spike saw Buffy in the cafeteria with her friends that afternoon and studied her. Gunn noticed where his friend was gazing and clapped his hands in front of Spike’s face.

“Snap out of it, man,” he said, and Spike looked at him, confused. “You’re appraising the enemy.”

“I’m…trying to find her flaws,” he lied. “Something to use against her.”

“Bull,” Lindsey replied. “You’re making moon-eyes over the blonde bitch.” Spike tried to ignore the anger that began to flood him.

‘He has no right to call her that,’ he thought. ‘I don’t, either, half of the time.’

“Well, after you hear what she’s been telling people, I think you’ll pounce on the opportunity to fight back,” Wes said as he sat down. Spike looked at him, raising an eyebrow. “She told all of the cheerleaders that you’re a necrophiliac.”

“What?!” Spike asked loudly, trying not to explode. The two other guys started laughing as Wes continued to talk.

“And then she told the football team that you were the one who stole their uniforms last year,” Wes said. “So you’ve got most of them looking for you while the cheerleaders are rather sickened by the new info.” Spike instantly stood up and stormed towards Buffy’s table, grabbing her arm and wrenching her away from her friends, pulling her through the cafeteria and outside, not caring who saw them.

“What the fuck is your problem?” he yelled, looking at her and throwing his arms up. “I thought we were on better terms now- why the hell did you lie to people about me?”

“We’re still competing, aren’t we?” she asked, crossing his arms. He tilted his head, frowning.

“I thought the rose I left you was a good enough apology for the time being,” he said. “One that I hoped would’ve conveyed that I was done with this stupid bet we’ve got going.” She frowned.

“I took it as you surrendering to the challenge,” she said, confused. “So I figured I’d keep fighting to prove you wrong.” He glared at her. “But apparently that’s not what you wanted to happen.”

“Screw you,” he replied, turning on his heel. “The bet is still on.” She watched as he walked back inside before taking a deep breath.

‘Wow, you really are a bitch,’ she thought.

* * *

Buffy was bombarded after school by Cordelia, who dragged her into the girl’s bathroom, obviously upset.

“Why do people keep pulling me away from whatever I’m doing?” Buffy asked, rubbing her arm where Cordy had grabbed it.

“Do you know what Spike told the swim team?” the brunette girl asked, and Buffy shook her head. “He told them that you were born a hermaphrodite.” Buffy frowned, crossing her arms.

“And you really think they believed him?” she asked. “That’s ridiculous.”

“True, but still, this is bad publicity for you,” Cordy replied.

“‘Publicity’?” Buffy asked. “I’m not a celebrity- I’m just running for Homecoming Queen.”

“You can’t let stuff like this spread,” Cordelia said. “Any rumors, true or false, are going to screw you over.”

“Then I’ll just keep retaliating against Spike,” Buffy said. “I’ve got more ammunition than necessary.”

“Good,” Cordelia replied. “You’re going to need it.” They exited the bathroom and walked to their lockers, where Willow was waiting for them.

“Buffy, I just heard some more…gossip,” the redhead said. “Apparently, Spike’s been telling some people that you have your nipples pierced.” Buffy laughed at the absurdity of it. “And that you have a tattoo on your ass.”

“Of what?” she asked, shaking her head and giggling as she opened her locker.

“Spike’s initials,” Willow answered quietly, and Buffy raised an eyebrow as she looked at her friend.

“Yeah, because he apparently used to own your ass,” Cordelia said sarcastically, crossing her arms and leaning back against the lockers. “Buffy, you’ve got to put an end to this. Either that, or you have to start spreading lies about him like it’s going out of style.”

“I’ll get on it, chief,” Buffy said, giving Cordy a mock salute. “Don’t fret.” Buffy walked down the hallway with Willow while Cordelia watched them, frowning.

‘Oh, you can trust I will be,’ she thought.

* * *

Buffy and Spike arrived at home around the same time, both of them exiting their cars and glaring at one another.

“Your ass is grass, cowboy,” she said, leaning against her car. “I just spent the last half an hour doing damage control with a good portion of the underclassmen. Tattoos, piercings, once being a hermaphrodite? These are the lies you come up with?”

“How about my obsession with boffing the dead?” he asked sharply, crossing his arms. “That was bloody ridiculous, pet. At least the stuff about you is believable.” He chuckled. “Well, maybe not the hermaphrodite thing. That was just for my own amusement.”

“I could kill you,” she said, narrowing her eyes at him.

“Take your best shot,” he replied, shooting her a look. “I’d love to see you try.”

“You know, I think hating you is a lot better than befriending you,” she said, grabbing her tote bag.

“Hating you is better than loving you,” he replied, and she glared at him before going inside her house.

‘But either way, at least she’s talking to me, so that’s a plus,’ he thought, grabbing his backpack and going into his house.

“So, I couldn’t help but hear your conversation with Buffy,” Rupert said as his son came inside. Spike looked at him and frowned. “All of the windows are open downstairs.”

“She deserved it,” Spike muttered, getting a soda from the refrigerator.

“I didn’t raise you to act this way,” Rupert replied sternly. “I think this bet of yours between you and Buffy needs to stop.” Spike looked at his dad, surprised. “Joyce told me all about it. Buffy confided in her while they went shopping the other day.”

“I’m not stopping the bet,” Spike said. “She needs to see that she’s not the bloody queen of the world.”

“And you definitely are not a king,” Rupert said, cleaning his glasses. “I love you, William, but you’re walking a very dangerous line with her. If you still care about her, which I truly believe that you do, you’ll stop this before you hurt her even more, before she’ll never forgive you. You could lose her forever and irrevocably damage what little civility you two have left.” Spike looked at his dad and nodded, looking down.

“Sometimes you’re too bloody wise, old man,” he said before walking upstairs to his bedroom.

‘That’s why I run a bookstore,’ Rupert thought, smiling to himself.
 

Chapter 7:

As the days passed, both Buffy and Spike didn’t let up when it came to publicly belittling one another and spreading more lies. As far as Buffy was concerned, she was finally able to get back at him for being such a jerk to her years ago, along with completely breaking her heart.

Cordelia and Willow spent one afternoon polling their classmates, trying to see who was liked more, Buffy or Spike. Buffy was more than thrilled to see that she was in the lead, although not by much.

“So if you keep on going like you have been and don’t mess up at all-” Cordy began to say.

“And don’t allow Spike to keep spreading rumors about you,” Willow added, cutting in.

“You should win, Buffy,” Cordelia said, smiling. “I think the chances are very high right now.”

“Good,” Buffy smiled, relieved. “Are any of Spike’s contenders close to him, percentage-wise?”

“A couple of them are, yes,” Willow answered, looking at the chart she made to compare everyone’s statistics that were running for Homecoming Court. “The next closest is Riley Finn, with a 35% rating.”

“What is Spike’s?” Buffy asked curiously, looking at Willow’s chart.

“Spike has a 40% rating,” Willow said. “And you, my dear, have 49% of the votes for Homecoming Queen.”

“Who’s below me?” Buffy asked, and Willow sighed.

“Harmony Kendall,” she answered. “She has 39% of the votes.” Buffy raised an eyebrow.

“So Harmony could potentially keep me from being crowned?” she asked, and Willow nodded. “Should I maybe start campaigning against her, too? I mean, Spike’s not my competition when it comes to being crowned Queen.”

“I have complete confidence in you,” Cordelia replied. “Stop worrying about it- you’re going to win.”

* * *

“I’m actually getting worried about this,” Spike said as he ran a hand over his face, frustrated. “If Finn beats me, I’m screwed.” Wes looked at his cousin and took a deep breath.

“Maybe you should figure out another way to win votes,” he suggested. “It wouldn’t hurt.”

“This was all a very bad idea,” Spike replied. “Sounded good in the beginning, but not so much anymore.”

“Give it time, man,” Lindsey said, following Spike and Wes outside after school. “Besides, Homecoming isn’t that far away. You’ve got a week to prove people wrong about you.”

“Good point,” Spike said, nodding. “I’m not letting this stupid bet ruin my weekend. What’re we doing tonight?”

“I was thinking of going to the Bronze,” Gunn said, catching up to his friends. “I think we could all use some fun.”

“Yeah, and a flask of Jack Daniels,” Spike replied, unlocking his car doors. “Eight o’clock sound good?”

“See you there,” Gunn said before he walked away with Lindsey. Wes and Spike got in his car, and before he started the engine, he saw Buffy exiting the school with Willow and Cordelia beside her.

“You really are worried, aren’t you?” Wes asked, and Spike nodded. “Do you really believe that if she wins, you’re not equally as popular as she is?”

“It has nothing to do with popularity anymore,” Spike replied. “This is my way of proving to her that I’m better.”

“And do you really think that’ll get you in her good graces again?” Wes asked, raising an eyebrow.

“What the bloody hell are you talking about?” Spike asked sternly.

“I’ve seen you look at her, Spike, and I’m not as daft as you think,” Wes replied. “You can deny it as much as you want, but no matter what has transpired between you two in the past, you still love her.”

“I…shut up, you berk,” Spike replied, starting the engine and clenching his jaw as his cousin chuckled. “So what if I do? I spent a good portion of my young life head-over-heels in love with her, so I don’t see why I can’t still love her a smidgeon.”

“You’re lying to yourself if you think it’s only ‘a smidgeon’,” Wes said, rolling down his window. “But if you really do still have feelings for her, you’d stop this bet before it blows up in your face, William.” Spike raised an eyebrow as he looked at Wes, surprised by the formality of his tone. “Now stop looking at me like that and take me home.” Spike laughed slightly and sped off, beginning to wonder if maybe both Rupert and Wes were right.

‘I already tried to get the ball rolling for us to break off the bet, but she didn’t catch on,’ he thought. ‘Looks like I’m going to have another go at fixing things.’

* * *

Buffy walked out her back door around 7:45 and was surprised to see Spike leaving his house, also. The two looked at each other and stopped walking.

“Hi,” she said quietly, looking down when she saw him appraising her outfit.

“You going out somewhere?” he asked, pulling out his pack of cigarettes, taking one out and lighting it.

“I’m supposed to meet my friends at the Bronze,” she answered, looking at him. “You?”

“Same,” he said, opening his car door. “Want a ride?” She raised an eyebrow, shocked. “I don’t have all bloody night, luv. I’ve still got to get Wes.”

“Umm, okay,” she said, walking over to his car. “You’re not going to purposely crash or anything, are you?” He looked at her with a bemused expression. “Well, not on your side, of course, because you want to live, but you’re not going to smash into a tree on the passenger side, are you?”

“Get in the car, Buffy,” he replied, and she quickly obeyed him, catching the irritation in his voice.

Once they were seated inside and the car had been started, she looked at him, noticing that his jaw was clenched.

“Alright, what’s got you pissed off now?” she asked, crossing her arms.

“You really think I’d do that to you?” he asked, looking at her. “Try to kill you?”

“I was kind of joking before,” she answered, confused by how he was acting. “I don’t think you’d actually kill me, Spike.” She paused. “Well, probably not.”

“I wouldn’t hurt you,” he said, looking outside, and she scoffed. “What?”

“It’s funny you say that because you did hurt me,” she said, trying not to become too angry.

“Things were different then,” he said, looking at her. “I was a wanker- I admit it. And I think I’ve apologized enough for one lifetime, don’t you think?”

“After what you’ve put me through, I don’t know if that’s even possible,” she said, looking down.

“I’m sorry I’m a bastard,” he replied sternly. “I’m sorry that I’ve treated you so horribly over the last few years. You deserve someone better than me, Buffy- we both know that. I wish things had been different, and I made a stupid mistake years ago, one that I will probably hate myself for until the day I die.” She looked at him, surprised by his words. “I don’t deserve you, pet, and I don’t think I ever really did. But I’ll be damned if I’m going to keep fighting you over pointless stuff because it’s not worth it. I care about you still, and frankly, seeing you hurting sometimes isn’t as much fun as I pretend it is.”

“Why are you saying all of this?” she asked, looking away before he could see how watery her eyes had become.

“Because it’s our senior year, and within the year, we’re graduating and going off to college, and it’s possible I may never see you again,” he said, shrugging. “I couldn’t live with myself knowing that I didn’t at least talk to you about this while I had a chance. It’d probably eat me up inside.”

“And you don’t think you deserve that kind damage?” she asked quietly, looking out the window.

“I know I deserve it,” he replied. “But I guess a part of me is hoping that you’ll find something deep inside of you that will at least let me try and make things up to you.”

“Is this your way of offering me an olive branch?” she asked, and he sighed.

“I don’t know what it is,” he mumbled, backing out of the driveway. “Disregard everything I’ve said tonight. It’s probably better for us both if you do.” She looked at him sadly.

“I don’t think I can,” she said, and he looked at her, seeing the conflicting emotions she was battling in her eyes.

“So where does this leave us, then?” he asked, saddened by the fact that she was obviously hurting once again.

“I don’t know,” she answered, looking down and wiping off the corners of her eyes.

“Can we try being civil at least?” he asked, and she smiled softly.

“How do you propose doing that when we’ve got one hell of a bet going?” she asked, looking at him. “One that I’m going to win.” He smiled slightly.

“Fat chance, sweetheart,” he said, driving towards his aunt and uncle’s house for Wesley.
 

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